Letter from Samuel Willard, Deerfield, Massachusetts, to Susan Holland [nee Willard], Belchertown, Massachusetts, August 20, 1815

Willard says that everyone is in good health and asks his sister to write to him.

Letters from Benjamin Welles to John Henry Tudor, 1799-1801

Benjamin Welles wrote these six letters to his friend and classmate, John Henry Tudor, between 1799 and 1801. Four of the letters are dated, and the dates of the other two can be deduced from their contents. Welles wrote Tudor four times in September 1799, at the onset of their senior year at Harvard, in an attempt to clear up hurt feelings and false rumors that he believed had caused a chill in their friendship. The cause of the rift is never fully explained, though Welles alludes to "a viper" and "villainous hypocrite" who apparently spread rumors and fueled discord between the two friends. In one letter, Welles asserts that "College is a rascal's Elysium - or the feeling man's hell." In another he writes: "College, Tudor, is a furnace to the phlegmatic, & a Greenland to thee feeling man; it has an atmosphere which breathes contagion to the soul [...] Villains fatten here. College is the embryo of hell." Whatever their discord, the wounds were apparently eventually healed; in a letter written June 26, 1800, Welles writes to ask Tudor about his impending speech at Commencement exercises. In an October 29, 1801 letter, Welles writes to Tudor in Philadelphia (where he appears to have traveled in attempts to recover his failing health) and expresses strong wishes for his friend's recovery and return to Boston. This letter also contains news of their classmate Washington Allston's meeting with painters Henry Fuseli and Benjamin West.

John Warren's copy of votes from a meeting of the Boston Medical Society, 1784 May 3

This document lists the eleven votes cast at a meeting of the Boston Medical Society on May 3, 1784. It was authorized as a "true coppy" by Thomas Kast, the Secretary of the Society. The following members of the Society were present at the meeting, all of them doctors: James Pecker, James Lloyd, Joseph Gardner, Samuel Danforth, Isaac Rand, Jr., Charles Jarvis, Thomas Kast, Benjamin Curtis, Thomas Welsh, Nathaniel Walker Appleton, and doctors whose last names were Adams, Townsend, Eustis, Homans, and Whitwell. The document indicates that a meeting had been held the previous evening, as well (May 2, 1784), at which the topics on which votes were taken had been discussed. The votes, eleven in total, were all related to the doctors' concerns about John Warren and his involvement with the emerging medical school (now Harvard Medical School), that school's relation to almshouses, the medical care of the poor, and other related matters. The tone and content of these votes reveals anger on the part of the members of the Boston Medical Society towards Warren. This anger appears to have stemmed from the perceived threat of Warren to their own practices, exacerbated by a vote of the Harvard Corporation on April 19, 1784. This vote authorized Warren to apply to the Overseers of the Poor for the town of Boston, requesting that students in the newly-established Harvard medical program, where Warren was Professor of Anatomy and Surgery, be allowed to visit the hospital of the almshouse with their professors for the purpose of clinical instruction. Although Warren believed that the students would learn far more from these visits, in regards to surgical experience, than they could possibly learn in Cambridge, the proposal provoked great distrust from the members of the Boston Medical Society, who accused Warren of an "attempt to direct the public medical business from its usual channels" for his own financial and professional gain.

Student lecture notes on anatomy and surgery, and medical notes, of Lyman Spalding, 1795

Contains notes taken by Harvard student Lyman Spalding (1775-1821) from lectures on anatomy and surgery delivered by Harvard Professor John Warren (1753-1815) in 1795, as well a section entitled “Medical Observations,” which includes entries on “Vernal Debility,” or diseases occurring in the spring, and lung function. It is unclear if these are Spalding’s own writings or transcriptions from a published work. There is also text transcribed from “Elementa Medicinae,” published in 1780 by Scottish physician John Brown.

Account book, 1780-1802 (inclusive)

Account book of the Rev. John Lathrop, who was minister of the Second Church in Boston (Old North Church) from 1768 to 1816.

Commonplace book of Moses Appleton, 1791-1815 (inclusive)

Volume containing medicinal recipes, medical notes, poetry, and obituaries written by Dr. Moses Appleton (1773-1849). Many of the recipes were copied from medical texts or other publications. His "cure for the dropsy," taken from the New York Herald, contained stale cider, parsley, horseradish, oxymel squills (sea onion in honey), and juniper berries. For diarrhea, he prescribed a blackberry syrup. Several entries indicate Appleton practiced Thomsonian medicine, an alternative system based on use of botanicals. The medical notes include an account of his treatment of a man with smallpox in 1815, and entries on patients he inoculated with cowpox matter. Another entry dated in 1796 provides instructions from the Massachusetts Humane Society for "treatment to be used with persons apparently dead from drowning," which included blowing tobacco smoke in the victim's lungs and applying warm blankets for several hours. Appleton adds a note questioning whether or not the lungs also should be "often artificially inflated." There is additionally a history of prominent physicians dating from ancient Greece.

Receipt book of Francis Kittredge, 1780

Contains instructions for preparing and administering medicine for adults and children, and generalized uses for certain ingredients, written by Dr. Francis Kittredge. Preparations include ointment for scurvy, bone ointment, nerve ointments, procedures to soothe a sore mouth and to stop excessive bleeding, and treatment to kill worms. The materials used to prepare bone ointment include fresh butter, hog fat, chamomile, garlic, and night shade, among other ingredients. The recipe for “simple nerve ointment” instructs the preparer to simmer half a pint of neet foot oil, a pint of rum, and one jell of oil of turpentine over a “gentle fire.” Kittredge writes that oil of St. John’s Wort is effective in treating swelling of the legs, for cold and aches, and for burning and scalds, while oil of Elderflower is indicated for belly aches. The manuscript is housed in a binding created by the Harvard Medical School library. Tipped into the binding is one letter from Frederick O. West, M.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, that accompanied his donation of the Kittredge receipt book to the library in 1919. There is also one letter of unknown provenance enclosed with the receipt book, which contains an inventory of the estate of Antipas Brigham, of Grafton, Massachusetts, signed by Worcester County Judge Joseph Wilder on 7 November 1749. It is unclear if this letter has any connection to Frederick O. West or Francis Kittredge.

Minorca Island, Spain, 1780 (Image 1 of 2) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: A topographical map of the Isle of Minorca, geometrically survey'd by the Royal Engineers, while it remained in the possesion of the French during the last war ; and digested by L.S. de la Rochette. It was published by William Faden in 1780. Scale [ca. 1:52,800]. Covers Minorca Island, Spain. This layer is image 1 of 2 total images of the two sheet source map, representing the western portion of the map.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the European Datum 1950, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 31N projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, roads, villages and other human settlements, fortifications, shoreline features, ground cover, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Includes text and "Explanation of some Minorcan names."This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Minorca Island, Spain, 1780 (Image 2 of 2) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: A topographical map of the Isle of Minorca, geometrically survey'd by the Royal Engineers, while it remained in the possesion of the French during the last war ; and digested by L.S. de la Rochette. It was published by William Faden in 1780. Scale [ca. 1:52,800]. Covers Minorca Island, Spain. This layer is image 2 of 2 total images of the two sheet source map, representing the eastern portion of the map.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the European Datum 1950, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 31N projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, roads, villages and other human settlements, fortifications, shoreline features, ground cover, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Includes text and "Explanation of some Minorcan names."This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Connecticut, 1780 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Connecticut and parts adjacent. It was published in 1780 by Cóvens and Mortier and Cóvens Junior. Scale [ca. 1:375,000]. Covers also portions of New York (including Long Island), New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Connecticut State Plane Coordinate System (Feet) (FIPS 0600). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, drainage, county and town boundaries and more. Relief is shown pictorially. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of New England from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Washington, D.C., 1815 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Territory of Columbia, drawn by And'w Ellicott ; engraved by P.A.F. Tardieu, Paris, 1815. It was published in 1815. Scale [ca. 1:63,360]. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Maryland State Plane Coordinate System Meters NAD83 (Fipszone 1900). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, drainage, district boundaries, government buildings, parks and more. Relief is shown by hachures. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from The Harvard Map Collection as part of the Imaging the Urban Environment project. Maps selected for this project represent major urban areas and cities of the world, at various time periods. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features at a large scale. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

Amsterdam, Netherlands, ca. 1780 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: [Plan de la grande & fameuse ville marchande d'Amsterdam = Plan van de wyd vermaarde en beroemde koop stad Amsterdam, mise au jour par Ies Iean Covens & Corneille Mortier avec privilege de Mess.rs les Etats Generaux des Provinces Unies = nieuwelks uyt gegeven door Ioannes Covens en Cornelis Mortier met previl. van de Staaten Generaal]. It was published by Iean Covens & Corneille Mortier ca. 1780. Scale [1:53,000]. Map in Dutch and French. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Dutch National Grid: RD (Rijksdriehoekstelsel) GCS Amersfoort (Bessel 1841) coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as roads, bridges, drainage, canals, wharves, docks, built-up areas and selected buildings pictorially, fortification, water mills, and more. Relief is shown by hachures. Includes indexes. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from The Harvard Map Collection as part of the Imaging the Urban Environment project. Maps selected for this project represent major urban areas and cities of the world, at various time periods. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features at a large scale. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates, scales, and purposes.

Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, 1780 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte particulière du havre de Boston, réduite de la carte anglaise de J.E.S. Des Barres, écuyer ; la déclinaison de l'aiguille aimantée à été observée de 6d. 4'. N.O. en 8bre. 1778, par M. le marquis de Chabert qui à sussi déterminé à terre la latitude de divers points auxquels cette carte à été assujetie. It was published by Dépôt des cartes et plans de la marine, 1780. Scale [ca. 1:33,000]. Covers Boston Harbor and adjacent lands. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Massachusetts State Plane Coordinate System, Mainland Zone (in Feet) (Fipszone 2001). All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows coastal features such as rocks, flats, channels, points, coves, islands, and more. Depths are shown by soundings and shading. It also shows land features such as roads, settlements, drainage, and more. Relief is shown by hachures. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps of Massachusetts from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of regions, originators, ground condition dates (1755-1922), scales, and purposes. The digitized selection includes maps of: the state, Massachusetts counties, town surveys, coastal features, real property, parks, cemeteries, railroads, roads, public works projects, etc.

Isla de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain, 1780 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Isla de la Gran Canaria, por Don Tomás Lopez, geografo de los dominios de S. M., de las Reales academias de la historia, de San Fernando, de la de buenas letras de Sevilla y de la Sociedad Bascongada de los amigos del pais. It was published by se hallará este con todas las obras del autor en la Calle de las Carretas entrando por la Plazuela del Angel in 1780. Scale [ca. 1:280,000]. Covers Isla de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. Map in Spanish.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Mercator projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, land cover, cities and towns, villages and other human settlements, towers, hospitals, parishes, shoreline features, ports and anchorage points, and more. Relief shown by hachures. Includes note on the mapping of Isla de Gran Canaria.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Africa, 1815 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Smith's new map of Africa : comprising the most recent researches, Picket sculpt. It was printed for C. Smith, Mapseller and Publisher in Jany. 6th, 1815. Scale [ca. 1:12,000,000]. Covers also a small portion of Europe and the Middle East. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the Africa Sinusoidal projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, roads, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown by hachures. This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.